Reshma Saujani, in her presentation 'Teach Girls Bravery, Not Perfection,' shares a deeply personal narrative beginning with her own leap into the unknown when she ran for Congress in 2012. Despite a well-supported campaign, she faced a significant loss, which, rather than disheartening her, sparked a realization about the societal pressures that mold women to seek perfection over bravery. This experience, Saujani explains, marked her first real act of bravery – stepping out not to secure a guaranteed win but to fulfill a personal conviction, undeterred by the potential for imperfection.

Reflecting on why attending church is essential, especially in a society where it often seems undervalued, one can't help but notice the low attendance rates—only about 15% of Australians attend religious services monthly, leaving a majority outside the regular church community. In a secular culture dominated by values like entertainment, success, and wealth, church offers a stark contrast, promoting charity and spiritual growth over material gain. Yet, the essence of 'church' extends beyond just a building; it embodies the community of God's people. While one can spiritually grow without physically going to church, similar to learning without schooling or eating without shopping, engaging directly in church activities enhances spiritual development much like driving a car teaches driving more effectively than theoretical study. Church is designed not just for individual growth but communal connection, where like branches on a vine, being part of a larger body enriches our faith. Despite its flaws and the serious issues it faces, such as clerical abuse and corruption, church remains a fundamental part of Christian life. It's where we learn forgiveness and community building, as Jesus taught us to forgive 'seventy-seven times,' demonstrating that church is both a place of learning and a source of spiritual support. Thus, attending church pushes us beyond comfort, challenging us to live out our faith actively and communally.

Marist to me means a big community. It has a lot to do with being together. Relationships are very important. I base a lot of my life and my experiences even with Christ on relationships. Relationships to me are places where I feel I belong where I can connect with others who really care for me and where I care for them. I love to be able to connect with other people and to share many experiences with them. To learn from others. It is important that I am continuing to grow as Marist and as a person in community. I can learn a lot from those people who are around me.

In a reflective homily, Father Jim draws inspiration from his old parish priest, Father Bill Meum, who consistently emphasized the message of God's love and the importance of radiating kindness. Father Jim adopts this recurring theme, highlighting the significance of repetition until such fundamental truths are deeply internalized by the congregation. He connects this message to the approaching Christmas season, a prime opportunity for evangelization not through outward outreach but by welcoming those who come to church during this time.

The presentation titled 'Why Beatify John Claude Colin' discusses the potential beatification of Father Jean-Claude Colin, founder of the Society of Mary (Marists). The speaker reflects on the various perspectives within the Marist community about recognizing Colin as a saint, mentioning other Marist figures who have been canonized or considered saintly, such as Saint Peter Chanel. The talk emphasizes that Colin himself understood and used the process of beatification and canonization, promoting it for others like Chanel.

Pastor Carey’s '7 Leadership Shifts Pastors Need to Make in 2025' outlines practical strategies for church leaders to maximize their impact and reduce burnout. The first shift, maximizing your green zone, emphasizes protecting the 3-5 hours each day when your energy and productivity are highest for crucial tasks like sermon preparation. He advises leaders to schedule this time as a recurring appointment with themselves, avoiding distractions like random meetings or emails. The second shift encourages going all in on the January kickoff series, as early attendance patterns often set the tone for the year. A strong and well-prepared sermon series can create momentum that lasts through September. Additionally, fixing your first-time guest strategy is essential, with structured follow-ups that are personal, prayerful, and consistent to improve guest return rates.

The Chosen tells the story of the first Christmas through the eyes of a shepherd whose life of suffering and rejection changes when he and his fellow shepherds receive a miraculous revelation.

Hail Mary, full of Grace. Hail Mary, full of Grace. The Lord is with Thee. The Lord is with Thee.

The December 2024 newsletter of Marist Laity Australia reflects on the year’s key activities, including a May reflection day, the Marist Family Fourvière celebration, a November retreat, and ongoing online engagement. It highlights the September gathering of Marist leaders to discuss collaboration and the future of the Marist mission, emphasizing formation, inclusivity, and lay leadership. The newsletter also recounts a transformative immersion to Davao, the Philippines, and a spiritually enriching retreat at the Marist Hermitage. It concludes with reflections on Christmas traditions and community projects, underscoring themes of connection, service, and hope for the future of the Marist mission.

In this insightful interview conducted by Jane Hutchins, cartoonist Michael Leunig reflects on the unique path that has shaped his illustrious career. Leunig shares that he enjoys a considerable degree of creative freedom, a liberty that stems from his long tenure and distinct style that editors have come to respect. This autonomy allows him to explore themes in his cartoons that often end not with a punchline, but a question, inviting reflection rather than closure.

The Marist Millennium Pledge is a Formation tool which can use to help structure our discernment and way of living as Marists. Across a total of 12 months a person is invited to discern about ten things where God is calling them to follow Mary and Jesus. These commitments will take time to emerge. Over several months, through our own prayer life and our encounters with spiritual friends or Marists these pledges will begin to appear.

The documentary 'Europe's Deadly Migration Policy' explores the human cost of Europe’s border agreements with North African nations, focusing on the plight of migrants and refugees. Migrants, including families with small children, are routinely abandoned in the Sahara Desert or subjected to violence and harsh conditions at the hands of North African border forces funded and equipped by the European Union. These actions, often carried out in remote and unmonitored areas, result in tragic deaths, highlighting the devastating consequences of policies designed to deter migration.

In the 'Advent Day 6' video featuring Richard Rohr and Kate Bowler, they discuss the concept of 'necessary suffering' in the spiritual journey. Richard Rohr, drawing from Carl Jung, suggests that people often find themselves on a spiritual path due to challenging life events such as job loss, illness, addiction, or personal brokenness. Kate Bowler shares her experience of feeling surprised and somewhat insulted by her own suffering, noting how she felt like she had failed somehow. They discuss the shame and stigma attached to suffering in modern culture, where suffering can be misconstrued as a personal failure.

In her impactful presentation, Anita Moorjani shares her profound near-death experience (NDE), which provided her with significant insights into living a life filled with purpose and meaning. She emphasizes the importance of living authentically and fearlessly, rejecting societal pressures that push us to conform and hide our true selves. Moorjani describes her own life as previously dominated by fear—fear of illness, rejection, and not being enough—which she believes contributed to her developing cancer. During her NDE, she experienced an overwhelming sense of unconditional love and acceptance, which starkly contrasted with her fear-driven existence. This experience revealed to her that our physical ailments are often deeply connected to our emotional and spiritual states. She stresses that in the moments of her deepest despair and illness, she found clarity and understanding about her purpose in life, which was fundamentally about embracing love and rejecting fear. Post-NDE, Moorjani experienced a miraculous recovery, which she attributes to her newfound understanding and changes in her approach to life. She advocates for a life where decisions are made from a place of love rather than fear, encouraging others to recognize the transformative power of self-acceptance and genuine self-care. Her presentation is a call to live fearlessly, find joy in being true to oneself, and recognize the interconnection between our spiritual well-being and physical health. Moorjani's story is a testament to the healing that becomes possible when we align our lives with love and truth, challenging us to transform our own lives by shedding fear and embracing authenticity.